AAP Annual Leadership Conference | |
Happy August, everyone. I hope you have had some time to connect with loved ones this summer and to do the things you love. Many of the people I love and with whom I enjoy connecting are also Academy leaders, volunteers and staff, so I look forward to this time each year as it is when we have our AAP Annual Leadership Conference. The conference was held July 25-28 at AAP Headquarters in Itasca, IL, and it is a wonderful opportunity to gather with other fierce advocates for child health to learn with and from one another. | |
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As I have written here before, the Annual Leadership Conference (ALC) is also the venue in which the resolutions all of you created and submitted, representing your diverse passions and experiences as experts in child health, are debated and voted on. These resolutions, while advisory to the AAP Board, have historically played a large role in setting the Academy’s policy priorities, and are a critical way for all of us as members to exercise our voice.
This year, as always, our chapter and district (IX, California) continue to set a high bar in terms of our engagement, with 22 of 61 resolutions involving authors from our district and 14 of those authored or co-authored by members of our chapter. A majority of those were adopted by the voting membership of the Academy leadership. These resolutions cover the full spectrum of pediatric advocacy, from advocating for screening for and addressing cyber bullying, to promoting education about and widespread availability of naloxone in public spaces, to creating a task force for gender equity within the Academy, to advocating for children in regions affected by armed conflict and disasters. By the time you read this, the Top 10 resolutions, voted on by the membership from among the adopted resolutions, will have been published in AAP News, so I encourage you to take a look.
In the coming months we will provide periodic information regarding the resolution process and how to leverage it to ensure we hear all of you as our members. We want to ensure equitable understanding of and access to the process, so please let us know how we can support you.
While I could write much more about ALC, in closing I will just say that we are living in an increasingly challenging and divisive time, where disagreements often lead to distress and distrust, and the Leadership Conference is not immune to that. Many people shared valuable insight and diverse perspectives, and often disagreed, but ultimately we came together in service of child health.
What impresses me most about our many members, whether in leadership positions or otherwise, is our ability to find common ground, even when and sometimes because we disagree. I fully believe that it is in that sharing of diverse perspectives, and in respectful disagreement and discourse, that we can and will continue to forge a path forward, together, for child health and for one another.
In deep respect,
Nikki
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Nikki Webb, MD, FAAP
President, AAPCA1
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Good news, your day just got better!
We have all encountered patients with complex mental health issues that we feel unprepared to address. But how can you quickly obtain a psychiatric consultation to provide the necessary support for your patient?
Fortunately, a newly expanded program, Cal-MAP, is available to all California pediatric healthcare providers for free. Cal-MAP is a pediatric mental health care access program designed to promote pediatric mental health and wellness through resource navigation, and peer-to-peer consultation to pediatric primary care providers. You can get more information and sign up at cal-map.org.
In addition, the Cal-MAP program has several educational programs that you can use to improve your comfort level and knowledge about managing frequently occurring mental health issues in children and youth in your practice. Their comprehensive clinical pediatric mental health curriculum offers continuing medical education (CME) and American Board of Pediatrics MOC Part 2 credits, along with clinical resources and guidelines. A new series of webinars and “Project ECHO” tele-mentoring and case-based learning begin in August and are open to pediatricians and an interdisciplinary audience. You can get more information and enroll in training at cal-map.org.
The Project ECHO series includes case-based learning after a brief didactic in which participants actively learn to apply new knowledge and skills to real-life clinical situations. Condition-specific topics covering diagnoses, treatment and management, including medications, are held on second Wednesdays at noon. Topics relevant to school-based health center clinicians and school-based staff are the focal point for Project ECHO sessions on second Wednesdays at 2:30 pm. Clinicians can learn brief, universally applicable therapeutic skills and interventions during the ”Universal Therapy Skills Project ECHO” series on fourth Thursdays at noon. Webinars are held on the first, third, and fifth Thursdays starting at noon.
Continue reading . . .
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Renee Wachtel, MD, FAAP
Chair, School Health and Behavioral & Developmental Committees, AAPCA1
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Screen Time and Technoference | |
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Growing up in a language-rich home environment has been shown to substantially impact children’s language development during the first three years of life. Parents and pediatricians have been concerned that screen time may be interfering with opportunities for talk and interactions between parent and child. This potential interference has been termed “technoference”. A recent study from Australia (Brushe et al. JAMA Ped. 2024; 178(4):369-375) has sought to determine whether this actually happens.
They measured adult words, child vocalizations, conversational turns, and screen time during an average 16 hour day in the family home for 220 parent-child pairs once every 6 months from 1-3 years of age. What did they find? They found that increases in screen time decreases all three measures of parent-child talk, with the largest effect at 36 months of age.
Why is this important?
Continue reading . . . .
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Renee Wachtel, MD, FAAP
Chair, School Health and Behavioral & Developmental Committees, AAPCA1
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AAPCA1 has signed on to a letter of support urging the EPA to authorize pending California clean air programs:
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The sign-on letter, led by our coalition partners at the American Lung Association, calls on the EPA to approve waivers for various California clean air and clean vehicle rules.
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These programs aim to reduce health harms from motor vehicle pollution and improve air quality not just in California, but in other states as well. The national AAP has joined this effort, reflecting our ongoing commitment to public health and environmental protection.
AAP California Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4 advocate together under AAP, California (AAP-CA) on state-level issues related to children’s health and well-being and the practice of pediatrics. Visit the AAP-CA website’s Advocacy page at https://aap-ca.org/advocacy/ to see the entire list of AAP-CA tracked bills that made it to the Governor’s desk where you can read the outcome of each bill and an in-depth analysis.
If you have questions and/or are interested in knowing more about certain legislation, reach out to our State Government Affairs Chapter Representative Nora Pfaff, MD, FAAP and Anna Kaplan, MD, FAAP, at info@aapca1.org.
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Advocacy Committee Meeting
Please join us for an upcoming AAPCA1 Advocacy Committee meeting. Join fellow pediatricians and trainees from around the region as we share advocacy opportunities and updates. Given the upcoming election, we will focus our discussion on civic engagement and voting with a special presentation from Vot-ER. Dinner will be provided for in-person attendees.
Date: Wednesday, August 28
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm PDT
Location: Hybrid in person and virtual @ UC Davis MIND Institute - Room 1115
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Save the Date! Pediatric Puzzles Conference
Save the date, Saturday, December 7, to join AAPCA1 at Oakland Museum of California for our 9th Annual Pediatric Puzzles CME Conference! We will have interactive lectures by experts in pediatric pulmonology, allergy, refugee experience, immigrant health, and ableism. You won't want to miss the latest updates on asthma, use of biologics in allergy, and enlightened, thoughtful ways to welcome and care for your patients.
Date: Saturday, December 7
Time: 8:30am - 2:30pm PDT
Location: Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St, Oakland, CA 94607
Credits: 5 CME credits available
All attendees will receive free admission to the Museum!
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Chapter Leadership Positions | |
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Seeking Monterrey Bay Area Director Applications!
As an Area Director, you'll be part of a dynamic team representing one of our 11 diverse geographic areas. You'll become a voting member of our chapter board and engage with local pediatric providers to advocate for children's health through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Volunteer alongside a supportive leadership team dedicated to shaping the future of pediatric care.
Why Join Us?
- Engage Locally
- Advocate for Children
- Collaborative Leadership
Perks and Benefits
- Membership on AAPCA1 Board: Gain valuable experience and networking opportunities.
- Discounted CME Events: Access quality education at reduced rates.
- Advocacy Days: Participate in impactful advocacy efforts.
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SOECP Executive Committee Assistant District 9 Representative
The Section on Early Career Physicians (SOECP) is seeking a candidate for 6 Assistant District Representatives (ADRs). Nominations for the ADR positions will be accepted through August 31, 2024. The appointed candidates will begin their term on November 1, 2024, and can serve up to four 1-year terms. The Section Executive Committee and nominations committee will review all nominees and select candidates for appointment.
Term: One year, (November 1, 2024 through October 31, 2025) with the option for re-appointment for additional year(s), allowing for a maximum tenure of 4 years in the role as ADR on the Executive Committee
Time Commitment:
- Monthly 60-minute virtual meetings, on a weekday evening
- Quarterly review activities, averaging 2-4 hours independent work
- Monthly 30–60-minute virtual workgroup meetings
- Bi-annual 4–6-hour meetings (may be in-person, dependent on availability for travel, may be divided into several shorter meetings over several weeks if presented virtually
Qualifications: Must be a member in good standing of National AAP and the SOECP for the full duration of service.
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CATCH Facilitator Position
The AAP Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Program is seeking applicants for the volunteer position of Chapter CATCH Facilitator (CCF). CCFs are appointed by their state Chapter to serve a renewable three-year term. CATCH’s mission is to support pediatricians to collaborate within their communities to advance the health of all children. Our vision is that every child in every community reach optimal health and well-being.
To apply send CV to info@aapca1.org.
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Popular Pediatric Clinical Topics Conference 2024
Join us for an enlightening educational journey at the Popular Pediatric Clinical Topics 2024 conference, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Waikoloa Beach, Hawaii. This immersive event is meticulously curated to provide pediatric healthcare professionals with the latest insights, advancements, and best practices in the field.
Date: Sunday, September 15-18
Time: 7am-12pm PDT
Location: Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Waikoloa Beach, HI
Credits: AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (14.00 hours), ANCC Contact Hours (14.00 hours), Non-Physician Participation Credit (14.00 hours)
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Visit our Pediatric Job Posting Board!
View new available jobs or post one of your own. Visit our site to view member discounts https://aapca1.org/jobs/
Available Jobs!
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Cal-MAP: Mental Health Support Resources
Cal-MAP’s team of mental health specialists supports primary care providers (PCPs) treating youth with mental health needs through education, consultation, and resource navigation. This includes advice on screening, diagnosis, and treatment from a child psychiatrist and guidance on resources and referrals from a social worker.
Register for the Cal-MAP consultation program here: https://cal-map.org
Cal-MAP Resources:
PCP Resources
Family Resources
Contact Us:
Phone:
800-253-2103
Email: info@cal-map.org
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Be SMART Campaign
The Be SMART initiative focuses on promoting the secure storage of firearms—ensuring they are locked, unloaded, and kept separate from ammunition—to protect children. It underscores that adults are accountable for keeping guns out of children's reach and encourages every adult to contribute to community safety. Volunteers from Be SMART are dedicated to spreading this important message throughout neighborhoods in all 50 states.
Recommended by
A program Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund.
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Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is currently recruiting practices for a no-cost, 18-month program beginning in June 2024 to promote appropriate antibiotic use in telemedicine while improving patient and family satisfaction with antibiotic prescribing.
Participating providers will be eligible for continuing education units (CEUs), continuing medical education (CME) credits, and American Board of Pediatrics maintenance of certification (MOC) points.
Recommended by The Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality
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Risk of Autism in Children Born From Assisted Reproductive Technology
As the incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) continue to rise in tandem, their relationship to one another as well as the general risks of ART are increasingly being explored.
Recommended by Kelly Muller, BS (UCR School of Medicine); Amelie Carballo (CSUSB); Karina Vega, BS (UCR School of Medicine); Becky Talyn, PhD (CSUSB)
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Reading Recs
Books:
Your Baby's First Year
See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog
Bug Scouts in the Wild
Recommended by Reach out and Read
Podcast Recs
Podcasts:
Recommended by Kids Considered
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AAP National Conference and Exhibition
Join us in Orlando for the 2024 AAP National Conference & Exhibition. We can’t wait for you to connect in person, network with colleagues, participate in world-class education sessions, attend exciting special events, visit the exhibit hall, and much more!
A limited virtual attendee experience will also be available.
Recommended by AAP
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Your membership makes a difference for children in California, thank you!
The AAPCA1's ability to advocate on behalf of children is only as strong as the support we receive from our members. Encourage your colleagues to join today by visiting the AAPCA1 website.
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Our mission is to promote the optimal health and development of children and
adolescents of Northern California in partnership with their families and communities, and to support the pediatricians who care for them.
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Executive Committee:
President: Nicole Webb • Vice President: Neel Patel
• Secretary: Resham Kaur • Treasurer: Amita Saxena • Past President: Nelson Branco
Executive Director: Yolanda Ruiz
Area Directors:
• North Valley : Aishwarya Taneja • Sacramento Valley: Lena van der List • Central Valley : Deborah Shassetz • South Valley: Sireesha Palkamsetti • San Francisco: VACANT • Santa Clara: Bindya Singh • San Mateo: Jonathon Everett • North Coastal: Jeffrey Ribordy • Monterey Bay: VACANT
• Alameda County: Renee Wachtel • Contra Costa/Solano : Jennifer Anne Miller
Pediatric Insider News Editors:
• Christy Capestany • Mika Hiramatsu • Deborah Shassetz • Tim Sullivan
Staff:
Executive Director: Yolanda Ruiz • Project Coordinator: Sana Sayyid •
Marketing Assistant: Arathzy Portillo
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